Christmas Traditions

 

 

 

I love all the Christmas activities we do together as a family. It is such a fun time of year. I know it can be pretty busy, but I so enjoy doing all the Christmas stuff. One of the things we do every year is go to the Festival of Lights in Spanish Fork, and eat at a hometown burger joint in Spanish Fork too. The kids look forward to it every year. This year we also went to Temple Square. It had been a few years since we have made it up there, and I really wanted to go this year. We picked a perfect night to go. The weather was nice, and it wasn't very crowded. I love the wonderful feeling you get as you step onto the temple grounds. The kids liked going into the tabernacle. We also reminded Brody of the one year that he fell into the fountain. I think we have a picture of him, wearing Wyatt's coat. The fountains still are a favorite of all the kids though. I tell them to please not fall in though. A few other things we have done are: The Nuttall Family Christmas party, with all my Aunts and Uncles, and Cousins. It is fun to see everyone,even if we do kind-of stay in our own little groups. Garrett actually goes to school with my cousin's daughter(small world.) After the party, my parents came down, and brought us our Christmas gifts. They have started doing that, the past couple of years, so it is not so crazy on Christmas Eve. I think it is a great idea, then we get some one-on-time with them. We got some great gifts. Their gifts to the grandkids, is always a day out with grandma and grandpa, and their cousins. What a great way to create wonderful memories. Our gift was a beautiful picture of Christ, and a pressure cooker. I am excited about both. Anyway how blessed we are this time of year to have so much.
We celebrated Christmas with Wyatt's family a couple of days ago, and I will post some pictures later.
Merry Christmas!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

 

 

 

I know I am a little late in posting, but here are some pictures from Thanksgving. We celebrated at my parent's house this year. I really am blessed to have such a wonderful family. My mom had the kids write the things they were thankful for. They used each letter from their names to write one thing they were thankful for. Some of the things were God, Dancing, Eating, Yo-Yo's, Basketball, Dad, etc. I saved their lists so I can show them to them when they get older. I think it is fun to think of even the little things we are thankful for. Like a smile, a hug from my little Chase, laughing with an old friend, being able to be with loved ones often, because we live close enough that it doesn't take too long to get there. The list goes on and on, but I am just so grateful for all that I have.

Catching Up!

I am a little behind on my blogging. So I plan on catching up on some of the fun stuff we have been doing lately. I can't believe how quickly time flies. The kids are still staying busy with all of their activites. Chase still loves School, and jumps up and down when he sees his bus coming. Adri is doing Gymnastics this year. I think she likes it alot. She showed me a cartwheel, and a handstand the other day(both have improved so much since she first started) Hopefully she is more coordinated then her mom. Brody finished up his season of flag football, and will start basketball in a few weeks. He also likes drawing, and has made a binder to put all his drawings in. Garrett started Wrestling a few weeks ago, and really seems to like it. He has won a few times. It is really good for him, he has practice everyday after school for two hours. Anyway it is fun to be involved in all the kid's activities. I will post more later about Thanksgiving and Christmas activities, and put some pictures on too.

Flag Footlball Season

 

 

Brody finished up a great season of Flag football. He was the quarterback for the team, and had a great time. I think he scored 15 touchdowns. I am sure he will correct me if I am wrong. I really don't know that much about football, but I am learning more and more as I watch the boys play. It was fun to watch their team this year. One of the moms even got them trophies at the end of the season. Way to Go Dolphins!!

Happy Halloween

The kids had a great time on Halloween. Chase was supposed to be a blue monster, but he was afraid of his costume. He was an atv rider instead, and looked just as cute. Wyatt took the younger kids down to his Mom's ward for trunk or treat, and Garrett and Brody went Trick or Treating with some of their friends. I was bummed because I wasn't feeling well that day so I had to stay home. I remember when I was a kid, we would stay out forever, and come home with a ton of candy. The kids got a lot, and of course they had it all eaten in about two days. People say they can make their candy last until Christmas, not in this house. They all have a sweet tooth, like their mom.

 

 

 

Fall Break at the Sand Dunes

It has become a tradition for us to go out to the Sand Dunes for Fall Break, so we did it again this year. The weather was perfect. We had a great time riding together. Lyndi, Shallie, and Kyle came out on Saturday to hang out, and ride with us too. What more can you ask for, than being with the ones you love just having fun together?

Carving Pumpkins!

The kids had a great time carving their pumpkins. We used Mr Potato head pieces for Chase's, but he wanted to carve his just like everyone else, so Wyatt let him help clean out the inside. The kids all picked out what kind of face they wanted to do on their pumpkin.

The Pumpkin Patch

 

 

 

 

This year we decided to take the kids to the Pumpkin patch to pick out some pumpkins. It was fun, because you got to ride on a trailer pulled by a tractor out to the pumpkin patch. The kids loved picking out their own pumpkins. Adri wanted a huge one, but we were able to find her one that she could actually carry. After we picked our pumpkins, we went to the little shop and had donuts.

Brody is 10

 

I can't believe our Brodster is 10. I still remember his birth like it was just yesterday. My water broke when we were at a Wedding Reception. So we rushed to the hospital, and our Brody arrived a few hours later. He must have been a little anxious to get here, because he was our earliest arriving 4 weeks early. Garrett loved holding him. Now they are buddies most of the time. It is one of those things where one minute they are beating each other up, and the next minute, they are inseparable. They are lucky to have each other. Brody takes good care of Adri and Chase too. He walks Adri to school everyday. He is doing well in all the activities he is participating in. The cub scouts had a pinewood derby a couple of months ago, and his car took first place. Right now he is playing Flag Football. He is the quarterback, and had made 8 touchdowns. Way to go Brod! Anyway we are so happy to have him in our family. Happy Birthday!! We love you Brody!!

Grandma is 80!

This weekend we celebrated my Grandma's birthday. She turned 80. I can only imagine all the things she has witnessed in her lifetime. She is such a special lady. I feel so blessed to be her granddaughter. She has such a positive outlook on life, and is still doing such great things at 80 years young. I still remember all the fun things she used to do with us when we were kids. (Loved the sleepovers)! I am grateful my kids get to know her too. What an awesome example of the kind of person I would like to be. Happy Birthday Grandma!! I didn't take my camera so I don't have a picture of her on her Birthday, but here is one of her with Chase.

Soccer Stars

We have had another fun soccer season. Adri really started getting into it this year. Her team won all of their games but two. She played goalie a few times, and did a great job. She dove onto the ball to keep the other team from scoring. Garrett's team has had a good season as well. He has played defender a lot, but his favorite postition is foward. He has scored some goals this season. If they win their game tonight, they will be going to the tournament. I'll let you know if they make it. I really enjoy watching our kids play. Brody will be starting flag football in a week. Here are some pictures of the kids playing soccer. I will try to get some better ones tonight of Garrett.

 

 

 

 

Garrett' Court of Honor

 

 

Garrett had a Court of Honor a few weeks ago for Scouts. We spent the summer working on Merit Badges with some of his friends. He was able to earn about 10 merit badges this summer. We are proud of him. Last time he had a court of honor it was kind of funny, when they called to tell him about it, he thought they told him they were going to be having a quart of water. Needless to say we didn't make it to that one. Anyway we are proud of him and his accomplishments. Right now he is a den chief for Cub Scouts, so I've put him to work, and he is planning our next den meeting. He is actually quite excited about it. Me too.

Canning Peaches

A few weeks ago, I bought 2 bushels of peaches, and did some canning. My sweet mother-in law came over to help me. Normally you can just boil the peaches and the skins will slip right off, but that didn't work this time, so we spent quite a while peeling them. My mother-in-law stayed all day(truthfully she did most of the work) I'd like to think I would be able to do it by myself since she has taught me so well. Anyway it took two days, but, we ended up with about 35 jars of peaches, 12 jars of jam, 24 jars of jelly, and 10 frozen bags of peaches. Thanks Coral for all your help. It was fun to work together. Here is a picture of the fruits of our labors. It's a great feeling to have fruit for our family. I know we are going to enjoy it. In a few weeks we are going to be making some applesauce.

 

 

Chase starts Preschool

Our little Chase started Preschool on Monday. We got him a Mickey Mouse backpack that is just his size. He can almost put it on by himself. It was hard putting my baby on the bus. He cried, and just looked at us through the bus window, wondering where he was going. As the bus was leaving, I cried too. School is going to be so good for him. It is pretty quiet at home, with all the kids gone. The bus driver says he squeals when they pull up by our house after school is over. He knows where he lives. I know he is going to learn so much at school. I can't believe how fast our kids our growing. My mom said to treasure every little moment, because it all goes by so quickly.

Back to School Time

The kids went Back to School last Wednesday. I can't believe how fast the summer flew by. The house is pretty quiet with them gone. It is just me and little Chaser. They are all doing well so far. I was a little nervous for Garrett, because he started Junior High this year, but he seems to like it. He got his locker figured out, and can make it to all his classes on time. He comes home and tells me about the things he's done in his classes. I like hearing about his day. Brody loves his teacher, which makes him excited to go to school. And Adri seems to enjoy going all day. She loves to learn. Our little Chase starts Pre-school on Monday. I think he is going to like it. I know there will be a few tears from me, when we put him on the bus. It is so fun to watch our kids learn and grow.

I am a Couponing Addict

I started couponing about 2 and a half years ago, and I just love all the good deals I can get. It has saved our family so much money, and has helped build our food storage up. I love all the free stuff. Anyway here is a picture of all the goodies I got today at Albies. I got 35 items for around $25.00. Gotta love it!

Wow! How Time Flies

I can't believe how fast the summer has flown by. It seems like the kids just got out of school(kindof) I can't believe they start school in a week and a half. I am ready for it though because it seems like they have been fighting alot the last couple of weeks. It is driving me crazy. We have done some fun things this summer though. Garrett went to Scout Camp for a week,(it was so quiet with him gone) I think he had a fun time being away from home. He earned some Merit Badges, and got to eat all day without his mom bugging him. Last weekend we went to Lava Hot Springs with my mom and dad, and all my brothers and sisters, and all the kids. We had a fun time being together. Chase had his last day of playgroup, because he is starting preschool in a few weeks. It will be the first time, I have all my kids gone at once. He gets to ride a little bus, I know I will probably cry the first day, I put my baby on the bus. Hopefully, I can use the free time to catch up on projects I've been meaning to do. Anyway here is hoping for a great year!


Here are some pictures of our trip to Lava

Camping up Payson Canyon

Last week we went up Payson Canyon to camp for a couple of days. It seems like our summer has been so busy, we haven't had time to go anywhere. So it was fun to get away for a couple of days. The weather was great, and Wyatt's family came up to visit one night too. The kids had fun riding their bikes with the cousins, and we went on a hike to the Grotto. It is always so nice to get away. I hope our kids will have good memories of the time we spend together.